Creamy Whipped Brie With Cranberry Salsa Food

WHIPPED BRIE APPETIZER WITH PEPPERED FIG COMPOTE

Steps:

• Put the figs and wine in a small saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer, stirring constantly, until most of the Port has reduced, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Remove from the heat and reserve.
• Remove the rind from the Brie; you should have about 8 ounces left.
• Put the cold cheese into a mixer with a paddle attachment and beat at medium speed, scraping down the sides from time to time, for about 10 minutes, until the cheese is very white and creamy; beat in the pepper; this can be refrigerated until you are ready to assemble the 'stack.'.
• Add 1 tablespoon oil to a large skillet and heat over medium heat.
• Drizzle about one-eighth teaspoon of balsamic vinegar over each slice of baguette in a thin line, brush lightly with oil on both sides and cook each side until golden brown, about 2 minutes.
• Brown the bread in batches.
• Remove from the heat and reserve (the bread can be stored in a plastic bag or container until needed).
• For each serving put a slice of toasted bread ('crouton') on the plate, then angle a quenelle (an oval of cheese shaped with two spoons) of Brie over the crouton.
• Top with a second crouton and another quenelle of Brie, then another crouton. Place about a tablespoon of the fig compote and a sprinkle of sea salt next to the stack and serve immediately.
• Serve the six 'stacks' immediately.

CRANBERRY SALSA

Steps:

• Rinse, drain, and pick over cranberries, (discarding all that are soft or bruised). Place cranberries in a food processor or blender; pulse until finely chopped but not mushy.
• Place crushed cranberries in a bowl; mix together with green onions, jalapeños, cilantro leaves, and ginger. Pour lemon juice and sugar over and stir together.
• Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate and allow flavors to develop. It will be a bit tart to begin with, but as it is allowed to sit it will develop even more flavor.
• Can be served as a plain salsa, but is amazing served over cream cheese with crackers.

CRANBERRY SALSA

Steps:

• Place all of the ingredients in a food processor (EXCEPT CREAM CHEESE) and pulse until desired consistency. I like mine fairly fine. Chill in the fridge for a couple of hours (preferably overnight) to allow the salsa to macerate. Serve over cream cheese and with crackers.
• This makes enough to cover two blocks of cream cheese. Some people prefer to spread the cream cheese on a serving dish with the salsa on top. I prefer to just pour it on top of a block of cream cheese.
• Depending on how tart your cranberries are you may want to add more sugar. This last batch I added a total of 1 cup of sugar.

CREAMY WHIPPED BRIE WITH CRANBERRY SALSA

Steps:

• To prepare the salsa: Pulse the cranberries in a food processor until very finely chopped.
• Transfer to a bowl.
• Stir in the green onions, jalapeno, sugar, salt, cilantro, lemon juice and ginger.
• Cover and refrigerate at least 4 hours.
• Stir occasionally.
• To prepare the whipped brie: Remove the rind from the brie and put the cheese into a food processor with the cream cheese, pepper and lemon zest.
• Process until nice and smooth.
• Transfer to a serving bowl.
• Cover and refrigerate.
• (This can be made 24 hours in advance.) Bring to room temperature about 1 hour before serving.
• Serve with crackers and the salsa on the side.

BAKED BRIE WITH CRANBERRY SALSA

Steps:

• 1. In food processor, mix the cranberries, sugar, mint, scallions, lime zest and juice, ginger, jalapeno pepper and salt. Pulse until cranberries are uniformly chopped and the ingredients re well mixed. Do not overprocess.
• 2. Transfer salsa to a small bowl, cover and refrigerate until sugar has dissolved and flavors have blended, at least 1 hour or up to 6 hours.
• 3. Preheat oven to 350. Put the cheese on a heatproof serving dish and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until wheel is soft when touched in center but still holds its shape. Spoon chilled salsa over hot cheese and serve at once. Great Party Dips

BAKED BRIE WITH CRANBERRY SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper for easy clean-up.
• Remove the brie wheel from it's wrapping and place onto the middle of the parchment paper.
• Top the cheese wheel with the cranberry sauce. Add chopped fresh herbs if desired.
• Bake at 350 for 5-7 minutes, until the brie is soft and melty.
• Remove and serve immediately, garnished with fresh herbs if desired.

CRANBERRY WHIP

Steps:

• In a large bowl, mix cranberries, miniature marshmallows, and sugar. Cover, and chill in the refrigerator 8 hours, or overnight.
• Mix apples and walnuts into the cranberry mixture. Fold in whipped heavy cream just before serving. Serve cold.

CRANBERRY CREAM CHEESE DIP

Steps:

• Chop cranberries in a food processor or by hand. Transfer to a bowl.
• Add sugar, green onion, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, lemon juice, cumin, and salt to cranberries; mix well. Cover and store in the refrigerator until cranberries have lost some of their bitter taste, about 4 hours.
• Place cream cheese bricks on a plate and pour cranberry mixture over top. Serve immediately.